While cork flooring seems like a new flooring option, cork was first used as flooring in the United States during the 19th Century. In fact, the United States Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., features a cork floor that was installed well over 100 years ago and is still in use today. Cork is durable, resilient and resistant to insects, making it a great choice for many floor covering applications.
How Cork Flooring is Made
Cork is harvested from the cork oak tree, which grows in a very limited area of the world. The Mediterranean countries of Spain, Portugal, France, Morocco, Italy, Algeria and Tunisia grow most of the cork produced worldwide. These trees survive in very harsh conditions and can live for hundreds of years; the average cork tree lives for 100 to 200 years, although there are trees that are 400 to 500 years old.
Unlike many wood products, cork is harvested by removing the bark of the tree, not by cutting the tree down. The tree regenerates its bark after harvest, allowing the tree to continue growing. Each tree's bark is harvested just once every 10 years. These features have led to a surge in the popularity of cork flooring during recent years; it is considered a sustainable and environmentally-friendly flooring choice.
Cork flooring is available in two different types - glue-down tiles and floating planks. Square, and sometimes rectangular tiles, are approximately 1/8" thick and made solely of cork. These tiles are glued down to the subfloor below, much like a vinyl floor would be installed.
In contrast, floating cork flooring consists of three distinct layers. The top layer is the cork itself, including a thin veneer layer containing the pattern and a protective finish. The middle layer is a tongue-and-groove fiberboard and the bottom layer is another thin layer of cork. This type of cork flooring floats above the subfloor beneath it; the planks are glue to each other, but not attached to the floor underneath.
Advantages of Cork Flooring
Cork flooring offers many advantages to today's homeowner. It has proven to be a very durable surface for even the most high-traffic areas. Cork is also resilient, resulting in a "cushioned" feel underfoot. It is naturally fire-resistant, as well as resistant to most insect pests. Cork offers insulation against sound and cold, creating both a quieter and warmer space. It is also resistant to mildew and features anti-microbial properties.
Cork flooring is generally sold prefinished, offering a durable and protective finish to the surface. It is also easy to install; many brands feature a "click" installation system, making it simple for most homeowners to install themselves. The tongue-and-groove planks simply click and lock together during the installation process.
Although cork is always available in its natural golden color, it is also available in an array of colors today. From dusky blue and scarlet to deep mahogany and espresso finishes, cork offers many new hues for today's home designs. It also comes in many different patterns, from the standard solid "cork board" look to veneers containing swirled or square parquet patterns.
Disadvantages of Cork Flooring
Like any type of flooring surface, cork does have disadvantages that homeowners need to take into consideration. Like all wood flooring, cork is most susceptible to damage from everyday grit and grime. Sand and soil brought into the home on shoes should be vacuumed from the surface regularly to prevent it from grinding through the protective coating over the cork.
Much like wood flooring, cork can be damaged by high levels of moisture. For this reason, it is not recommended that glue-down cork tiles be installed below ground level on basement floors. Floating cork flooring is better suited for that type of installation, as a moisture barrier can be placed beneath the planks. Care should also be taken when installing cork in areas high in moisture, such as laundry rooms and bathrooms.
Cork flooring will fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. Homeowners should be prepared to install window shades or draperies to protect the cork from fading. It is also recommended that furniture and rugs be removed and rearranged regularly to prevent the cork from fading and leaving shadows under the furnishings.
How to Care for Cork Flooring
Cork flooring should be cared for in much the same way as a wood floor would be maintained. Sweeping and vacuuming should be a part of daily care to remove grit from the floor's surface. It can be mopped with a mop that is barely damp; no water should be applied to the surface in large quantity. Many cleaners intended for wood flooring will also work on cork, but labels should be checked for best results.
To protect the floor from damage, felt pads should be used on the feet of furniture and area rugs should be utilized in high-traffic areas such as hallways and in front of the kitchen sink. The cork surface should also be coated with a fresh coat of polyurethane finish periodically. The surface will need to be buffed slightly and thoroughly cleaned before it is recoated.
Cork flooring has been around for over a century, and for good reason. With so many advantages to today's homeowner, cork can be a sustainable choice for many home remodeling projects. More information about cork flooring can be found at the Natural Cork website.
Teri Larsen - Professional Interior Designer, Freelance Writer, Executive Editor of Metro Women Magazine, Mom of 2, Artist and Generally Creative ...
Join the Conversation